Electric sealing device



H. D. RALSTON ELECTRIC SEALING DEVICE Dec. 2l E926.

v Filed April 2, 1926 ATTO RN EY (Il Il l Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

UNHTED STATES HUB-LEY D. RALSTCN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC SEALNG DEVTCE.

Application filed April 2, 1926.

This invention relates to certain novel improvements in electric sealing devices and more particularly to a device ot this character for melting and applying wax to an envelope or like article for sealing the closure laps thereof and has for its principal object the provision ot an improved construction ot this character which will be highly etficient in use and economical in manufacture.

Among the several objects of the invention is the production ot a device ot this character wherein there is provided a simple combination and arrangement oi" parts tor measuring, melting and supplyingpowdered wax to be melted and applied to an article to be sealed.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination 2U and arrangement oi parts hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing `illustrating the preferred .torni ot construction, and in which- Figs. 1 and 2 are vertical sectional detail views of the invention illustrating the preferred form ot construction,

Fig. 3 is a sectional detail view of the same taken substantially on line 3-3 ot' Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of the same taken substantially on line 1 4 of Fig. 1, and

same taken substantially on line 5 5 oit Fig. 1. A

i Referring more particularly to the drawing, illustrating the preferred form of construction, a barrel is indicated at and includes cylindrical side walls 1l and a bottom wall 12 having an opening 13 formed centrally therein. The upper end portion ot the barrel is closed by a cap 14 having a central opening 15 formed therein and including depending flanges 16 adapted for trictional engagement with adjacent interior portions ot the cylindrical walls 11.

Arranged in the barrel l0 at the lower end portion thereof, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, is a tubular member 17 defining at its upper end portion a melting chamber 13. The walls oi this melting chamber are spherically shaped to deline an entrance 19 Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view of the Serial No. 99,335.

at its upper end portion. Below this melting chamber 18 the tubular member deiines a receiving chamber 2O opening, at its lower end portion, into a sealing chamber 21 where the melted wax, indicated at 22, isreceivcd for application to an article to be sealed.

The walls of this receiving chamber 2() are likewise spherical in shape and define a restricted passage 23 opening communication between itself and the melting chamber 13. The lower end portion of the tubular member is cylindrically shaped to define the sealing chamber 21 herein mentioned.

This tubular member 17 is preferably formed of heat conducting material so that the melted wax will be retained in melted condition until the same is applied to the article to be sealed, in a manner hereinafter set forth.

Arranged between the interior wall surfaces 24 ot the barrel and the outer wall surfaces 25 of the walls defining the melting chamber is a heating unit generally indicated at A. This heating unit includes an asbestos base 26 receiving a heating coil 27 which is connected in circuit with terminal posts 28 through the medium ot conductor wires 29. This heating coil is dis posed to surround the outer wall portions 25 and in contact therewith so that the heat generating from these heating coils will be conducted by the tubular member to melt the powdered wax received by the melting` chamber and so that wax thus melted will remain in melted condition until applied to the article to be sealed.

Arranged in the barrel 10 above the tubular member 17 is a second tubular member 30. This tubular member is preferably formed of non-heat conducting material and has its lower end portion shaped to define a spherical measuring chamber 31. This portion of the tubular member 30 defines a restricted passage 31 which opens communication between this measuring chamber and the upper end portion 32 of the tubular member 30. This upper end portion 32 oi'l the tubular member 30 deines a funnel shaped mouth 33 including inwardly and downwardly tapered wall portions 34. These tapered wall portions 311 serve to guide the powdered wax 35 into the measuring chamber 31 under certain conditions.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 a door 36 oli iff

is included as a part of the cylindrical walls 11 for the purpose of permitting replenishing ot the powdered wax to the storage chamber 37 defined by the upper end portion of the barrel 10.

As will be noted in Figs. 1 and 2 the sealing chamber 21 is in registration with the opening 13 to permit the expulsion ot die melted wax applied to an article to be sealed in a manner to be hereinafter set forth.

The mechanism for applying the melted wax to an article to be sealed includes a plungerI 38 mounted for movement longitudinally of the barrel 10. The upper end portion ot this plunger includes a reduced end portion 39 threaded to receive a button e0. rlhis plunger 38 worlrs throughthe centralopening termed in the cap 1st and includes areduced portion el which is adapted7 when the plunger is in the position illustrated in Fig. 2, to open communication between the storage chamber and the measuring chamber 81. 'lhe passage 251 affording' such communicationv is normally'closed by an enlarged portion 42 of the plunger when the plunger is in the position illustrated in Fig. 1. Below this reduced portion al1 is a second reduced portion d?) which is adapted to permit communica yion between the measuring chamber 3l andthe melting chamber 1t when the plunger is in the position illustrated in Fig. 1 with the portion L12 thercot closing passage through the restricted passage 31y This portion 42 ot' the plunger is likewise adapted to close passage through the. restricted passage 19 when the plunger is in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. lVhen the plunger is in the posit-ion illustrated in Fig. 1 the enlarged lower end portion 14 thereof closes passage between the melting chamber 18 and the receiving chamber 20. This enlarged portion A is substantially conical in shape and is ot suoli diameter so as to snugly1 pass into the sealing chamber 21 when the plunger is manually depressed into its lowermost position beyond that illustrated in Fig. 2.

rthis conical shaped end portion le of the plunger has a central threaded bore 45 -lormed therein to receive the threaded stud ab formed as an integral part ot a seal 47.

To momentarily stop depressing ot the plunger 38, tor reasons hereinafter set forth, l provide opposite detents 48 slidably supported by bearing brackets 49 carried by the cap 14 and normally urged .in engaged position with adjacent portions ot the plunger by spring members 50. These de-v tents t8 are adapted to engage in an annular recess 51 termed in the upper end portion ot theplunger, when the plunger is in the position illustrated in Fig. 2. lt

will be noted that when the plunger is in this position communication 1s opened between the melting chamber 18 and the receiving chamber Q() and between tl'ie receiving chamber Q0 and the sealing chamber 21. This permits a certain amount oit the melted wax to iind entrance into the sealing chamber 21 where upon further depressing otl the plunger the seal di' thereot will be brought down upon the melted wax received by this sealing chamber. To permit the required amount ot melted wai; to lind confinement in this sealing chamber the plunger is momentarily resisted from downward movement by the dctents 4S when in engagement in the annular recess 51.

The plunger is normally held in its eX- treme upper position, with the portion 42 closing the restricted passage 31 and with the conical shaped end portion it closing communication through the restricted pas- Y sage 23, by a sprig member This spring member f2 is mounted between the button e() and the cap 1ain embracing position with respect tc adjacent portions et the plunger best illustrated in Fig. 1.

illhen the device is inoperative the plunger is normally disposed to close communication between the restricted passages Q3 and 31. ln this position it will be noted that 'con'inninication is permitted through the restricted passage 19 to permit a predetermined imount ot powdered wax contined in the measuring chamber 3l to find continement in the melting chamber 'i8 where the powdered wax is melted into condition to be applied to the article to be sealed. Upon operation ot the device the plunger is disposed to close communication through the restricted passage 19 and to open communication through the restricted passages 2? and 81. ln this position ot the plunger, a predetermined amount ot the powdereti wax IV is permitted to iind confinement into the measuring chamber 31 and the melted war; in the melting chamber 18 is permitted to pass into the receiving chamber 2O and trom there into the sealing chamber 2l.. Upon iurther depressing ot the plunger' 88 the seal 47 is brought down upon the melted wax confined in the sealing chamber to press the wax therein into adhesive relation with the article to be sealed.

iiiihen the plunger is manipulated to move into its lowermost position to bring the seal fil-.7 down upon the melted wan in the scaling chamber 21 it is manifest that by reason of a inanually imposed torce upon the plunger to move it in the direction to bring the seal into such a position that the action of the springs permitting further movement of the plunger, pass the point ot engagement between the detents and the annular recess. These detents serve in their principal capacity. as herein mentioned, to momentarily stop movement ot the plunger in the direction to bring the seal upon the melted wax. During Ait) this momentary stopping of the plunger the melted wax is permitted to find confinement in the sealing chamber 21.

While l have illust-rated and described the preferred form of construction t'or carrying my invention into eii'ect, this is capable ot variation and modiiication without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myselt' of such variations and modifications as come within the scope ot the appended claims.

Having described my invention, lwhat l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A sealing device including a tubular member defining a melting chamber and a receiving chamber and restricted passage opening communication between the melting chamber and the receiving chamber, there being a sealing chamber delined by the tubular member in communication with the receiving chamber opposite the restricted passaOe, a movable member movable longitudinally through the tubular member and including an enlarged end portion adapted to obstruct passage through the restricted passage and adapted to open communication through thc restricted passage when the movable member is moved in a direction to dispose the enlarged end portion in the sealing chamber, and a seal carried by said enlarged end portion of the movable member.

A sealing device includinga tubular member detining a melting chamber and a receiving chamber and a restricted passage opening communication between the melting chamber and the receiving chamber, there being a sealing chamber deiined by the tubular member in communication with the receivin chamber opposite the restricted passage, a movable member movable longitudinally through the tubular member and including an enlarged end portion adapted to obstruct passage through the restricted passage and adapted to open communication through the restricted passage when the movable member is moved in a direction to dispose the enlarged end portion in the sealingl chamber, a seal carried by said enlarged end portion otl the movable member, and means adapted to momentarily obstruct movement ot the movable member when the movable member is moved to dispose the enlarged end portion i'rom obstructing position in the restricted passage.

El. A sealing device of the class described including a tubular member defining' a p'lurality ot' chambers and restricted passages opening communication between the chambers. and a movable member having portions disposed to obstruct passage through certain of the restricted passages and including reduced portions adapted to open communication between said certain of the passages when the said portions ot the movable member are disposed to obstruct passage through the other ot the passages, in combination with a seal carried by the movable member adapted to operate upon matter discharged trom one oiI said chambers.

4. A sealing device including a barrel defining at its upper end portion a storage compartment and at its lower end portion a discharge opening, a member confined in the barrel defininga measuring chamber adapted under certain conditions to have communication with the storage chamber and a melting chamber adapted under certain conditions to have communication with the measuring chamber, a member movable longitudinally in the barrel and including a portion adapted to alternately close communication between the measuring chamber and the storage chamber and between the measuring chamber and the melting chamber, there being an enlarged portion at an end of the mov` able member adapted to close the discharge passage of the melting chamber when the por.- tion ot the movable member is disposed to close communication between the measuring chamber and the storage chamber, and a seal carried by the enlarged end portion of the movable member adapted to operate upon matter passing through the discharge passage ot the melting chamber through the said opening when the enlarged end portion ot the movable member is disposed in a position from obstructing passage through the discharge passage and when the said portion is disposed to obstruct communication between the melting chamber and the measuring chamber.

A sealing device including a barrel deining at its upper end portion a storage comiiartn'ient and at its lower end portion a discharge opening, a member confined in the barrel defining a measuring chamber adapted under certain conditions to have communication with the storage chamber and a melting chamber adapted under certain conditions to have communication with the measuring chamber, a member movable longitudinally in the barrel and including a portion adapted to alternately close communication between the measuring chamber and the storage chamber and between the measuring chamber and the melting` chamber, there being an enlarged portion at an end ot the movable member adapted to close the discharge passage of the melting chamber when the portion of the movable member is disposed to close communication between the measuring and the storage chamber, a seal carried by the enlarged end portion oi' the movable member adapted to operate upon substance passing through the discharge passage ot the melting chamber through the said opening when the enlarged end portion of the movable member is disposed in a position from obstructing passage through the discharge passage and when the said por tion is disposed to obstr ct communication between the melting chamber and the measuring chamber, and means for normally retaining the movable member in a position with a portion thereof disposed in position to obstruct communication between the measuring chamber and the storage chamber and with the enlarged end portion disposed to obstruct passage through the discharge passage.

6. A sealing device of the class described including a body defining a storage chamber, a measuring chamber in communication with the storage chamber, a. melting chamber in communication with the measuring chamber rand a receiving chamber in communication with the melting chamber, a movable member associated with the body for closing and opening communication between the chambers deiined by the body, and -a seal carried by the movable member adapted to operate upon 'matter received by the receiving chamber from the inciting chamber.

7. A sealing device of the class described including a body defining a storage chamber, a measuring chamber in communication with the storage chamber, a inciting chamber in communication with the measuring chamber, and a receiving chamber in communication with the melting chamber, a movable member associated with the body itor closing and opening communication between the chambers delined by the body, and a seal carried by the movable member adapted to operate upon matter received by the receiving chamberfromlhe meltinj chamber, and a heating unit surrounding the walls of the melting chamberl ior melting matter received by the melting chamberV from the measuring chamber.

8. A sealing device of the class described including a body defining a melt-ing chamber and a receiving chamber in communication with the melt-ing chamber and a sealing chamber in communication with the melting chamber, a movable member having an enlarged end portion adapted under certain conditions to close communication between the melting chamber and the receiving chamber, a seal carried by the movable member adapted to operate upon matter received by the sealing chamber to expel the matter received from said sealing chamber upon an article to be seaied by said matter, and means for momentarily retarding movement of the movable member to bring the seal into operation upon the matter received in the sealing chamber.

9. A sealing device of the class described including a body defining a melting chamber and a receiving chamber in communication with the melting chamber and a sealing chamber in communication with the melt' ing chamber, a movable member having an enlarged end portion adapted under certain conditions to cio-se communicatin between the melting chamber and the receiving chamber, a seal carried by the movable member adapted to operato upon matter received by the scaling chamber to expel the matter rcceived vfrom said sealing chamber upon an article to be sealed by said matter, and means for momentarily retardingv movement of the movable member to bring the seal into operation upon the mattei' received in the sealing chamber, said means including detente carried by the body and adapted tor engagement with an annular recess formed inthe movable member and spring members adapted to urge the detente into engagement with the recess.

ln testimony whereof l aiiix my sign aturc.

' HURLEY D. RLSTON. 

